By Tara Morrell
Cottesloe Council is considering a heated ocean pool here
Plans for building a heated ocean pool at Cottesloe Beach have captured the headlines but the necessity for such a facility is still being debated.
The man behind the proposal, Professor Jörg Imberger, director of the Centre for Water Research at the University of WA, says that a heated ocean pool would be beneficial for the public to swim all year round.
On the costs of implementing this heating system, Professor Imberger said that pumping underground water from beneath the pool would be the most cost-efficient solution.
He explained that only a small amount of underground water slowly pumped into the ocean pool would be needed.
But the idea has drawn a mixed reaction from the public.
Rita Smith, a Cottesloe beach regular, thinks that it’s a great idea.
Ms Smith thinks that an ocean pool would attract swimmers, as it would be clean and safer.
Friends Jess Perone and Teanna Menendez said that building an ocean pool would be taking away the beauty of the beach and would be a waste of money.
On the idea of having to install a heating system, all three agreed that it wasn’t necessary.
Ms Smith thinks that it would be a waste of money.
“ Don’t heat it. Use the ocean just as it is. People who are really swimmers will use an ocean pool all year round.”
“ What’s the point? I would be freezing when I get out of the pool so I might as well use the cold ocean water”, said Miss Perone.
Their opinions were divided on the possibility of having to pay to use the new facility.
Ms Smith said entry charges are acceptable, as the town council would have to maintain the ocean pool, while Miss Perone says that she would rather just use the free beach.
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